Author Diana Paz asked for help on her blog today coming up with YA romance titles for her sisters to read. At one point she mentioned that they aren’t into the adult romances because they like reading about first loves. I totally get that. Firsts are different than any other love of your life because they break through to emotions you didn’t even really know you had.
My “first” love actually happened in pre-school (LOL). His name was Jamie, and we were inseparable. My mother still talks about how I had a Jamie-dress and a Jamie-shirt that I wanted to wear every week (because they were his favorites–duh!). My favorite story though has to be about the only time I cried in pre-school. I was a good, quiet kid. But one day, I apparently screamed and cried for like an hour before they finally went to get my mother to figure out what was wrong. She took one look around and informed them that they’d moved my seat away from Jamie’s, and if they moved me back, I’d be fine again. Yeah, I guess I was a bit obsessive, but I was like four, cut me some slack.
The first love I remember didn’t happen until high school. Sure, I had crushes before then, but nothing that meant anything. Then I met DJ at band camp (not that kind of band camp, get your head out of the gutter for a damn minute, we’re talking about love here). We started dating before the week was out. With DJ I had my first real kiss, my first real experiences, and my first heartbreak. His mother didn’t like me. No, scratch that, his mother hated me. To this day, I still don’t know why, but we dated for most of that year before her constant badgering drove us apart. The next year he started dating a girl who would become one of my best friends. It forced the two of us back together to figure out some way to salvage a friendship from the feelings we had left for each other.
The two of them got married a month before I married my husband, and they’re still together. In fact, we don’t see each other as often as I’d like, but we’re all still friends too. Every once in a while when I think about him too hard, my heart breaks a little bit all over again, but I know he’s happy and I know we never would have lasted. Still, I wouldn’t have given up my time with him for anything in the world. He was my first, and he’ll always hold that little glued together piece of my heart.
This one’s for you, DJ <3
So now that I’ve been all sappy, anyone want to share the story of their first love?
Oh wow! Ha! I have a beautiful daughter to remind me of mine everyday. I was working for my ROTC instructor at his restaurant/bar (yeah shouldn’t have been working there but what the heck. It was good money) when I was in the 10th grade. One night, some guys came in real rowdy. Audrey (ROTC instructor’s wife) introduced us. The crazy guys were her sons and their friends. The outgoing brother chased me around the club most of the night. He was fun, but I was interested in the tall, quiet one. Must watch out for the quiet ones.
Well, to make a long story short. For the next four years we had a love/hate relationship. When I had my daughter I finally decided something had to give and that was me. Although a lot of pain came from that relationship, I also learned a lot of lessons.
But I think I walked away a better person. Actually, when I initially walked away I wasn’t a good person at all, but I was letting loose a bit, trying to live life. I did leave with a wonderful kid, good friends, and great “in-laws” who I still talk to today.
It’s strange to think back on it. I have the unfortunate pleasure of watching my daughter go through it now. It’s funny how you think they are the only man in the world and that the relationship is the end all be all. *sigh*
I had a first love at age 4, too. Wesley. He had sandy hair and BIG blue eyes. I still have a photo of him blow drying my hair for me when we got out of the pool at his house. How cute is that!
My first real love was named Leif, yes Leif. He is 7ft tall (I’m 5’2″, our prom pictures are beyond hilarious and no you can’t see them), but I was head over heels. I was a sophomore & he was a senior. We were together a little over a year, but he moved away the next fall when he got a basketball scholarship and that was that. I actually ran into him about a year ago and it was amazing to see him.
I couldn’t be happier with anyone, than I am right now, but every now and then Leif still crosses my mind.
My first love… Was my husband’s best friend. Yeah, our lives are complicated. I was 19, he was 22 when we met and with us it was a timing thing… It never worked out. We had deep feelings for one another and there were always moment where it looked liked it would work out, but it never did and after four years I got to the point where I realized I had to walk away and I did and started dating Mark. It was awkward for a while, but he and I have made peace and he was the MC at our wedding. He’s a very special part of my past and I’ll always care for him and I know he feels the same.
Dave Keon.
Beautiful song! I love Garth Brooks music and it was so appropriate with your blog. I enjoyed your story. I also liked everyone else’s. My first love lasted 7 years and I left him at the altar so to speak. Sad, but true. He got married a couple of years later and I haven’t seen him since. Last week his sister found my blog and started emailing me, bringing back fond memories. First loves are gone but never truly forgotten.
I’d love to know how to add a video to my blog Sel. If you get a chance maybe you can email me and let me know how to do it. Thanks.